Child Advocacy. Xxxxx will continue to seek permanent placement for the child and advocate that the child be placed with a second or subsequent loving permanent adoptive family. Xxxxx will continue its efforts to advocate for the child until the child reaches the age of majority.
Child Advocacy. Centers (each, a “CAC”) address the needs of victims of child abuse and neglect, particularly for children whose cases involve sexual abuse, exploitation, severe physical abuse, disabilities or serious health-related problems. Children who have disclosed abuse are interviewed by a forensic interviewer at such centers. Each CAC provides a child-appropriate facility consisting of high-quality accommodations and equipment, which maintains focus on the child and helps to ensure that systems designed to protect children are able to do so effectively and through culturally competent policies and practices. The purpose of DCS’ engagement of the CAC is to enhance the response to suspected child abuse and neglect cases and to minimize trauma to victims by combining the expertise and professional knowledge of various investigative agencies and other professionals. Those involved in the CAC share a core philosophy that child abuse is a multifaceted community problem and that no single agency, individual or discipline has the necessary knowledge, skills or resources to serve the needs of children and their families. The CAC facilitates a multidisciplinary team (“MDT”) approach to the assessment of allegations of child abuse and neglect. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 31-33-3, et. seq., the MDT includes law enforcement, DCS personnel, prosecutors, medical and mental health professionals, guardians ad litem, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and/or other providers of services to children and families. The MDT members work together to conduct interviews and make team decisions about investigation, treatment, and management of cases. The multidisciplinary approach to child abuse assessments is designed with the intention of reducing the secondary trauma associated with the disclosure and subsequent investigation of abuse. The CAC must be a Non Profit entity with 501(c)(3) status or a government entity, such as a Prosecutor’s Office. The CAC with the Non Profit status may be a standalone CAC, a CAC under an umbrella agency, or a CAC under a Prosecutor’s Office.
